Political revolutions
The Cuban
Revolution
CAUSES & COURSE OF
THE REVOLUTION
Third Form History
The Cuban Revolution of
1959 was a struggle
against the corruption
within the Cuban society
and economy. It resulted
in many changes as a
result of Fidel castro’s rise
to power in Cuba. Some
would argue that the
Cuban Revolution
continues
Fulgencio Batista
WHO WAS HE?
He enjoyed two different terms in office in Cuba.
The first reign was from 1939 to 1944 and his
second reign was from 1952-1959. Batista felt it
was safe to experiment with a form of
democracy for Cuba and so elections were held
for an assembly to wite a constitution which
would benefit the Cubans giving them franchise,
the right to form political parties, to tackle
unemployment, provide eight years education,
introduce schemes of insurance and regulate
working hours for employees.
In 1952, Batista staged a coup
(military overthrow of government),
as it seemed that he would lose the
Presidential Election. Batista
cancelled the 1952 election. Batista
was a corrupt and brutal leader. He
used gangsters to execute anyone
who dared to oppose him. During
his presidency Batista allowed
American companies to dominate
the Cuban economy.
He ignored crimes, allowing many
drug dealers to continue under the
condition that he got a share of the
profits. He, a select group of friends,
and businessmen from the US, grew
richer and richer while the lower
class of Cuba were poor and
suffering. The people of Cuba saw
this corruption and resented it,
causing a gaping rift between
leader and people.
Causes of the Revolution
IN 1959 CUBA WAS READY FOR A REVOLUTION BECAUSE OF:
1. THE DEPTH AND BREADTH OF AMERICA INVESTMENTS IN THE COUNTRY.
2. THE VISIBLE PRESENCE OF THE AMERICAN NAVAL BASE AT GUANTANAMO BAY
3. BLATANT CORRUPTION WITHIN THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY
4. INHUMANE TREATMENT OF POLITICAL OPPONENTS
5. THE ABJECT POVERTY OF THE MAJORITY OF CUBANS
6. THE DESIRE OF CUBAN NATIONALISTS FOR A FREE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT AND
ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE FROM UNITED STATES IMPERIALISM (US DOMINATION)
Fidel Castro, a young lawyer and activist,
petitioned to overthrow Batista and accused
him of tyranny and corruption. However,
Castro's arguments were rejected by the
Cuban courts. After understanding that the
Cuban regime (government) could never be
replaced via legal means, Castro went on to
launch an armed revolution. He and his
brother Raul founded a paramilitary
organization by the name "The Movement",
gathering weapons and around 1,200 men
from Havana's working-class by the end of
1952. On July 26,1953 Fidel Castro, his brother
Raul Castro and another one thirty five
members launched their first attack on the
moncada Barracks.
Fidel Castro
But they failed because Batista’s army was large. They were captured. Fidel and Raul Castro
were sentenced to prison for 15 years. Batista released all political prisoners including the
Castro’s in 1954. The brothers were exiled in Mexico, there they trained and gather followers
and met Che Guevara. They returned to Cuba on in 1956. The group of about 80 men
disembarked to Cuba on December 1956. They lost the first battle and Castro and his
surviving forces took refuge in the jungles of Cuba. Here they were able to continue their
guerrilla tactics (to wage war through ambushes, raids, and hit-and-run attacks). Along with
this, they spread propaganda (biased or misleading information for political gain) by telling
the people of small town Cuba that he had come to bring freedom to their lands. His
message spread and soon an army of few turned into an army of thousands excited to taste
freedom.
Despite the large size of his army, Castro kept to his guerrilla tactics. His forces carried out raids
on the Batista's government. No place was safe; they hit them in the towns and in the
countryside. By 1958, Castro and his forces had become so well organized, they moved from the
south of the island to the north. They defeated government forces at the Battles of Yaguajay and
Santa Clara. Realizing he was outmatched, Batista fled Cuba to Dominican Republic. With this,
Castro entered Havana as champion, and his supporters excitedly awaited their freedom.
Reasons for Castro's Success
The United States support Fidel Castro in his efforts to overthrow Batista. They along with
Venezuela and smuggled medicine, arms and other supplies to Castro and his followers
while they were in Mexico
Cuban businessmen and landowners quietly lobbied for the US to intervene because of
the political instability and in response the US placed an embargo on the sale of arms to
the Batista regime
Batista has closed the University of Havana which provided additional recruits for Castro
The people were frustrated with Batista’s dictatorship.